Four new exhibitions opened at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place on Thursday, 28 March at 6.00pm. One photographic, one archaeological and two art exhibitions will be on display until the 26th May 2013 and the wider community is invited to experience these aspects of Aboriginal culture.
The archaeological exhibition entitled ‘Aboriginal Weapons: Spears, Nulla Nullas, Boomerangs and Shields’ is a cultural and educational display that will benefit everyone especially school children. Aboriginal weapons were used in warfare and hunting. On display are nulla nullas which are a type of throwing club, spears of various type, shields and boomerangs from the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place’s artifact collection. This exhibition is curated by Jill Ahoy.
The photographic exhibition is on display on the Centre’s ‘Local Heroes’ wall. The first of such an exhibition is of Cyril Green, a local elder. Cyril has been privileged to have a life filled with music. He was the lead guitarist with the groundbreaking Aboriginal band, the Jimmy Little trio. Decades ago the music of Cyril and his colleagues broke through cultural barriers and opened doors for new generations of indigenous artists. His music has proved to be a powerful avenue for building respect and reconciliation.
Cyril was presented with the Order of Australia Medal in 2011. In awarding him this medal, Cyril was recognised “For service to the entertainment industry as a musician and recording artist, and to the community as an ambassador for indigenous culture”. “Cyril Green: the man who paved the way for our mob” exhibition is a celebration of his life and achievements. Cyril’s exhibition is curated by Sally-Anne Cutmore.
The two art exhibitions are of Kayelene Terry-Slater’s Kamilaroi Kollection and Murray Belford’s My Country exhibitions. Kayelene is a descendant of Kamilaroi nation from Walhallow at Caroona while Murray is a Pitta-Pitta man from the Channel Country surrounding the Boulia district in South West Queensland.
Murray paints traditional and contemporary style artworks from stories that have been passed on to him by his family. He uses bright and vivid colours in his works as that is how he perceives his country. Murray paints to keep his history and culture alive so that he can pass on his knowledge to the next generation like how it was passed on to him.
Kayelene also uses bright colours with symbols and teachings from her family and applies them in her artwork. “My artwork is inspired from my Aboriginality, my childhood and family memories” says Kayelene.